Headlight



March 17, 1931. H, c 5 1,796,322

HEADLIGHT Original Filed May 27, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet l qgo ge 11 C ad'kz' March 17, 1931 e. H. CUSHING HEADLIGHT Original Filed May 2 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 HUM;

March 17, 1931. s. H. CUSHING 1,796,322

HEADLIGHT Original Filed May 27, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 June/14km Gum new March 17, 1931.

G. H. CUSHING HEADLIGHT 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed May 27, 1925 gwvewtoz G. H. CUSHING Mar ch 17, 1931.

HEADLIGHT Original Filed May 27, l925 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 "Ii-ril G eorjge 25f.

g WAY firm new Patented Mar. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE H. CUSHING, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO CUSHING LAMP INCORPORATED, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A CORPORATION H ADLIGHT Application filed May 27, 1925, Serial No. 33,154. Renewed August 1, 1930.

My invention relates to headlights, and more particularly to the type of lamps used on automobiles and other vehicles.

An object of my invention is to provide an automobile headlight with means to prevent dazzling.

Another object of my invention is to provide a lamp in which the direct rays from the light source are shielded.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a slidably mounted means for supporting the light reflecting elements of the lamp.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a fastening means for attaching a light source to the lamp. 7

A further object of my invention is to provide a lamp which prevents glare to inconvenience or endanger pedestrians or occupants of other vehicles who may approach in the path of its light.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a lamp which is strong and sturdy in construction and so constructed that its elements are readily accessible for cleaning and inspection purposes.

While my invention is primarily designed to be used as an anti-glare device on the headlights of automobiles, street cars, railroad locomotives, mine locomotives, and other vehicles, it is also adapted to be used on street lamps, cap lamps used by miners. and in fact any other place where the use of a strong light is desired but where an exposed lightemployed by one person might prove annoying or dangerous to another. My reflecting system may also be incorporated in table lamps and itis particularly adapted to be used in lamps which utilize small candle power bulbs, such as parking lamps or other pilot lights used with automobiles.

With these and other objects in view, which may be incident to my improvements,

so the invention consists in theparts and comproportions and arrangement, without departin from the spirit and scope of the appen ed claims.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown in the accompanying drawings means for carrying the same into practical eifect, without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular constructions, which for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of a preferred form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view;

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view; I

Fig. 4 is a sectional view along line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

F ig. 5 is a detail sectional View through the reflector and its base;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View along line 66 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view along line 77 of Fig. 3; I

Fig. 8 is a sectional view along line 88 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of my invention;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view along line 1010 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view along line 11--11 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the involute reflector with the bracket detached;

Fig. 13 is a Vertical longitudinal view of a further modification;

Fig. 13a is a sectional view along line 13a13a of Fig. 13;

Fig. 14- is a vertical sectional view alon i k-14 of Fig. 13;

In the drawings:

Fig. 15 is a detail sectional view through the primary reflector, its base, and the lamp socket;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view along line 2020 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a lamp socket;

Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic view of the method of inserting the reflector support frame;

Fig. 19 is a sectional view illustrating a parking and running board light;

Fig. 20 is an end view of the parking and running board light shown in Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 is a vertical sectional view of a table lamp.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, I have shown a preferred form of my lamp structure comprising a housing or casing 1, which is substantially drumshaped. The housing is provided with a closure means, in the form of a casing 2, having a hinge 3 and a suitable fastening means 4 adapted to retain the casing in the closed position.

Mounted in the casing is a suitable cover 5 provided with openings 6 and 7 adapted to permit the passage of light rays from sources inside of the housing. \Vithin the housing I have provided a slidably mounted frame 8 upon which is mounted a primary reflector 9 having a base 10 attached to tne frame 8 by suitable fastening means 11. Attached to the primary reflector is a cylindrical extension 12, adapted to prevent stray rays emanating from a light source 13, which is mounted on the primary reflector, from being passed out through the opening 7 covered by a glass lens '7. In the path of the reflected light rays R- from the primary reflector 9, is mounted an involute secondary reflector 14, to distribute the light rays to the desired extent, which is also carried by the support frame 8. This reflector is provided with a soft steel backing 15 in order to carry off any heat which may be transferred to the reflector by the light rays R reflected from the light source. Directly in front and adjacent to the involute reflector 14 is an auxiliary reflector 16 which is carried by the support frame 8, and is adapted to deflect any of the stray light rays which are projected from the involute reflector. These stray rays are thus projected down upon the road or other surface to be illuminated.

Mounted in the opening 6. by a suitable screw means 11, is an auxiliary source of light 13 having a reflector 9 attached directly to the cover member 5. The object of this lamp is to provide a source of reduced candle power for dimming purposes.

The frame 8 is provided with a circular band 17 having a lock nut fastening means 18. The band carries rollers 19 at diametrically opposite positions on its circumference. These rollers are adapted to engage with and slide in the slots 20 which are attached to the casing in oppositely disposed relation. The slots are fastened to the casing by any suitable screw means 22, and it will be noticed that these slots are turned or bent at an angle, as 21. The object of forming the slots in this manner is for the purpose of inserting the frame 8. The method of inserting the frame will be hereinafter described. At the top of the casing is mounted a wedge shaped member 28, which forms a compression means for retaining the frame and prevents it frbm rattling. An additional catch means 24: is provided to lock the frame with the housing.

Referring to Fig. t, I have shown the fas tening means 18 for the frame 8, and the position of the hand 17 which carries the rollers 19 adapted to slide in the slots 20. After the frame 8 has been inserted in the housing and the lamp is in the operative position, the band 17 is expanded by turning down the threaded bolt 27. The projections 28 of the band are thus pushed apart and cause the band to expand against the housing.

referring to Fig. 5, I have shown the mounting for the light source 13. The primary reflector 9 is fastened to the frame by a screw means 11. The base of the reflector is threaded and adapted to receive a threaded socket which carries the lamp bulb.

Referring to Fig. 6, I have shown the fastening means 241 provided to lock the frame with the housing. The lock comprises a horizontal bar member 25 attached to the casing 1, and a hook member 26 is attached to the frame 8. The hook is adapted to slide over the bar when the frame is inserted with in the casing and the lamp is in the operative position.

Referring to Fig. 7, I have shown the arrangement of the slots 20 and the fastening means to attach the slots to the casing 1, also the rollers 19 which are attached to and carried by the band 17.

Referring to Fig. 8, I have shown the fastening means 18 comprising a bolt 27 having its end 27 embedded in the projection 28 of the expandable band 17. The bolt is provided with a lock nut 29 adapted to hold the bolt in the locked position after the frame has been adjusted and tightened.

Referring to Fig. 9, I have shown a modification of my lamp structure comprising a source of light surrounded by a primary reflector having its base attached to the housing 1 by suitable fastening means 11. The secondary reflector 14 is mounted upon a plate member 8 which is attached to the housing by means of a support 15. In this modification the secondary reflector 14 does not have a metal backing in order to dissipate the heat collected on it from the light rays It. By arranging the support 15 and the plate 8 as shown, an air space is provided behind the reflector and between the casing which carries away the heat transferred to the reflector by the light rays.

Light rays R are reflected upon the secondary reflector 14 and are then projected through the lens 7'. The auxiliary reflector 16 projects stray rays from the reflector 14 upon the surface to be illuminated.

Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, I have shown the position of the secondary reflector and the method of mounting it upon the support 8 which is attached to the housing.

Referring to Fig. 12, I have shown the support 15 and the secondary reflector 14 detached from the support. The support 15' is formed of a rectangular plate having proj ections 14 adapted to receive a screw means which fastens the reflector and the support to the housing;

Referring to Fig. 13,1 have shown a further modification of my lamp wherein the primary reflector 9 is attached to an enclosed funnel shaped reflecting casing 12. The involute reflector 14 is mounted within the horn at the elbow, and suitable support members 29 are provided to support the elongated portion of the casing 12 to the housing. The support members 29 comprise annular rings or bands which are fastened together by suitable fastening means 20. By using the enclosed casing 12, the light rays directly from the light source and stray reflected rays are projected through the lens 7 In this arrangement, the slidable mounting frame for the light source and the reflector is eliminated.

Referring to Fig. 14, I have shown a method of mounting the bands upon. the casing and the arrangement of the tubular casing 12 within the support members. The support members 29, as indicated in this figure, are made up of two parts 31 and 32. The upper portion 32 is mounted upon the casingl by suitable fastening means 33. The lower portion is adapted to surround the funnel shaped casing and engages with the upper portion 32 to which it is attached by the screw means 30.

Referring to Fig. 15, I have shown a method of mounting the light source 13 within the primary reflector 9 The base of the primary reflector is threaded and adapted to receive athreaded plug member 34 which carries the bulb or light source 13. A suitable cable or lead in cord 35 is attached to the plug and makes contact with connections at the base of the lamp bulb. The base of the plug is provided with an insulated circular portion 36. The plug as shown in Fig. 17, is substantially cylindrical in form and is provided with a shoulder extension 37 having flat portions 38. The upper portion of the plug is threaded, as at 39 Referring to Fig. 16, I have shown a fastoning means comprising a plate 40- used to lock the plug after it has been inserted in the reflector. The plate is slidably mounted upon the housing by means of pins 41 which are adapted to slide in openings 42 in the plate. The purpose of this fastening means is to lock the plug andkeep it from turning, thereby preventing the contact between the source of current and the bulb 13 from being broken. The method of attaching the plug and looking it after it is inserted is as follows Assuming that the frame Shas been inserted within the housing and the lamp is in operative position, the bulb 13 is attached to the plug and contact made with the terminals of the cable 35. The bulb and plug are then passed through the opening 43 in the fastening plate 40 and the plug is screwed into the base 10 of the primary reflector 9 until the flat portions 38 of the plug are parallel with the sides of the rectangular portion of the opening 43. When this position is obtained, the plate 40 is pulled tobring the straight portions of the opening 43 in contact with the flat pieces 38 011 the plug. In the position of the plug shown in Fig. 16, the fastening plate 40 is in the locked position, and the plug is prevented from turning. To retain the fastening means 40 in the locked position, a projection 44 is provided which is adapted to engage with a recess 45 in the casing 1 or the lamp structure.

It will be noted that it'is not necessary to open the lens or closure means 2 in order to remove the bulb for cleaning and inspection purposes. The primary reflector being attached to the casing 8, is readily inserted, and after it is in the operative position, the bulb is attached to'the primary reflector and locked thereto.

7 Referring to Fig. 18, I have shown a diagrammatic View of the method of inserting the frame 8 within the housing. Successive positions of the frame, when it is being in serted in the housing, are shown by the dotted lines. The roller bearings 19 move hori zontally along the dotted line d until the angular oflset is reached, then by tilting the frame in a counter-clockwise direction, it is brought into the operative position and retained by the member 23 and the auxiliary fastening means. The frame is also adjusted by the screw means formed with the band 17 which is attached to the frame, thus giving a tight connection between the frame and the housing whichprevents rattling noises.

In Figs. 19 and 20, I have shown a parking and running board lamp structure comprising a primary reflector 9surrounding a source of light 13 mounted within the casing 1. The secondary reflector in this structure comprises an involute reflector 14 which is attached to the casing 1 by suitable screw means 51. The reflector is adapted to project the light rays in directions at an angle to the axis of the light source.

Mounted in the casing is alens 48 placed at an angle to the axis of the casing, which is adapted to project the light down upon the running board. Above and adjacent to this lens is another lens 4L9 which is adapted to project the light rays horizontally to the rear of the lamp. By using a structure of this type, the light is made to project the rays on the body of the machine and along the running board so as to light up the vehicle in order that the outlines of the machine may be seen at night.

My improved parking lamp is so designed as to give light in the proper direction both when the vehicle is in operation and when parked. It is well known that night driving is particularly hazardous when the vehicles are not properly lighted. By this I mean that at night it is diflicult to gauge the distance between passing machines, unless there is some light thrown on the body of the machine. It is with this idea in mind that I have provided a lens having its axis at an angle with the horizontal.

The light rays R are reflected throu h the lens l8 and diffuse along the side of tue car and light up the space beneath and along the running board. This gives the approaching motorist an opportunity to distinguish the elements of the car and also will serve to light up a space of the road between the passing cars. This is particularly desirable when the high powered headlights are dimmed, both for the reason that it is difficult to see the cars and also for the reason that the sudden dimming is very apt to cause confusion to the driver of the approaching vehicle unless there is an auxiliary light which will serve to give a lighted surface on the side of the car.

Usually parking lamps are of small candle power for the reasons of economy desired in the use of such lamps. With my improved reflector, I am able to utilize all light emanating from small candle power bulbs and it is so reflected from the involute to give maxi mum light intensity.

Figure 21 shows an arrangement of my reflectors used with a table lamp. 1 he lamp is provided with a primary reflector 9 attach d to a base 10, and a secondary reflector 14: which is supported from a shade support member 47 attached to a cylindrical member 4C5 having arms 4-6 which support the sl and the involute reflector. The reflector 14: projects the light rays in the direction as indicated by the arrows.

l hile I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth, by way of illustration. as is apparent that many changes and variations -may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended clalms.

I claim:

1. In a lamp structure including a housing, a source of light, and a plurality of light reflecting means, support member for the light source and all the reflecting means comprising a frame slidably mounted within the housing.

2. In a lamp structure including a housing, a source of light, and a plurality of light reflecting means, a support member for the light source and all the reflecting means comprising a frame slidably mounted within the housing, said frame being provided with fastening means adapted to lock the frame with the housing.

3. In a lamp structure including a drumshaped housing, a source of light and a plurality of light reflectors, a support frame for the light source and the reflectors conforming to the shape of the housing and slidably mounted therein, said frame being provided with fastening means adapted to lock the frame with the housing.

at. In a lamp structure including a drumsnaped housing, a source of light and a plurality of light reflectors, a support frame conforming to the shape of the housing and slid ably mounted therein, said frame being provided with an expanding means comprising segments adjustable in relation to each other adapted to lock the frame within the housing.

5. In a lamp structure, a housing having corresponding and oppositely disposed slots, an adjustable annular band mounted upon the roller bearings within the slots, a support frame attached to the band, and means for locking the frame within the housing.

6. A lamp structure to prevent dazzling comprising a source of light, a drum shaped housing provided with a closure means having a light lens mounted therein, a support frame slidably mounted within the housing, means to fasten the support frame to the housing, a parabolic reflector mounted upon the frame and surrounding the light source, means to mount the light source within the reflector, secondary reflector mounted upon the frame in the path of reflected light rays from the parabolic reflector, and an auxiliary reflector attached to the support frame adapted to project stray light rays from the secondary reflector upon a surface to be illuminated.

7. In a lamp structure including a housing and a source of light, a primary reflector having a cylindrical tubular extension surrounding the light source, a secondary reflector and an auxiliary reflector mounted in the top of the housing and extending substantially the length of the housing, the auxiliary reflector being adapted to project reflected light rays upon a surface to be illuminated.

8. In a lamp structure including a housing and a source of light, a primary reflector having a cylindrical tubular extension surrounding the light source, a secondary reflector opposite the primary reflector, an auxiliary reflector in front of the secondary reflector, and frame-like means for attaching the reflectors to the housing.

9. In a lamp structure including a housing and a source of light, a primary reflector having a cylindrical tubular extension surrounding the light source, a secondary reflector mounted opposite the primary reflector, an auxiliary reflector mounted in front of the secondary reflector, and a frame supporting the reflectors for detachably securing the reflectors within the housing.

10. In a lamp structure including a housing and a source of light, a closure means for the housing comprising a cover having a lens mounted therein, a primary reflector surrounding the light source, a secondary reflector, an auxiliary reflector mounted upon a plate detachably secured in the top of the housing, and an auxiliary source of light mounted within the housing adjacent to the cover.

11. In a lamp structure including a housing and a source of light, a primary reflector having a threaded aperture in the base, a plug socket for the light source adapted to screw into the reflector base, and means to lock the plug with the reflector.

12. In a lamp structure including a housing, a source of light, a primary reflector surrounding the light source, a socket for the light source comprising a plug having a cylindrical shoulder extension provided with rectangular portions, said plug being adapted to screw into the reflector base, and means to lock the plug with the reflector.

13. In a lamp structure including a housing and a source of light, a primary reflector surrounding the light source, a socket for the light source mounted with the reflector comprising a threaded plug having a cylindrical shoulder extension provided with rectangular portions, and a plate member slidably mounted upon the housing adapted to lock the plug with the reflector.

14. In a lamp structure including a housing and a source of light, a parabolic reflector surrounding the light source, a socket for the light source mounted with the reflector comprising a threaded plug having a cylindrical shoulder extension provided with oppositely disposed rectangular portions, and a plate member slidably mounted upon the housing having an opening adapted to cooperate with the rectangular portions of the plug to lock the plug with the reflector.

15. A lamp structure including a housing, a source of light within said housing, a primary reflector, a cylindrical extension carried by said primary reflector and surrounding the light source, a secondary reflector and an auxiliary reflector mounted in the upper portion direct light from the light source falling on any portion of the auxiliary reflector from which it would be projected outside of the housing.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GEORGE H. CUSHING. 

